Moistening device with pressure bar



July 20, 1954 D. MARRoLLo 2,684,048

MOISTENING DEVICE WITH PRESSURE EAR Filed April 1, 1953 Patented July 20, Y 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a moistening device for envelopes, labels and the like.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved moistening device with a pivotally mounted, pressure member that keeps the envelope flap or other article in position against the moistening member while it is drawn across the latter.

Another' object is to provide such a pressure member so mounted on my device as to permit free and ready access to the moistening member.

A further object is to provide such a device that is made of parts simple to assemble and economical to manufacture, yet providing a finished device that is attractive.

The foregoing and other objects which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction, combination and arrangement of parts such as is disclosed by the drawings. The nature of the invention is such as to render it susceptible to various changes and modifications, and therefore, I am not to be limited to the construction disclosed by the drawings nor to the particular parts described in the specification; but am entitled to all such changes therefrom as fall within the scope of my claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my moistening device.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, the dash lines showing the pressure bar and its pivoting arm in raised position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line il-l of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line E-B of Figure 1.

As illustrated my device has a receptacle Ill to hold water or other moistening liquid. This receptacle has a bottom l2, below which is a cushion member M attached thereto. It also has a left side i6 and right side Il', a front I8 and rear or back 2t, which bottom, sides, front and back are united to provide a tight receptacle. It includes a top cover 22 having at its rear end a guide lip 24 which extends diagonally upward and rearward in position of use, preferably terminating at a point slightly higher than the top of said cover 22. Said cover has a hole 26 therethrough which is covered by a plug or cap 23 which has a projecting head 30 that enters said hole 26 and is smaller than the remainder of said cap. A cord 32 is attached to one end of said cap 28.

Within the receptacle is a cover supporting rim 34 which is attached, slightly below the top edges thereof, to said sides I6 and I1 and front I8. Near each rear corner of the receptacle are posts 35 while near the said back 2B are retaining means shown as retainer members 3S spaced from said front I8. Other retaining means than said members 36 may be used which will serve the purpose later referred to.

A moisture absorbing and retaining member 38, such as a piece of felt, ts in the space between said back i8, and posts 35 and retainer members 35. It preferably has a portion 4l] extending diagonally upward and rearward at approximately the same angle as said guide lip 24, the latter being forwardly of and adjacent thereto.

Pressure means, shown as a bar or rod 42, extends across the receptacle from one side i6 to a point adjacent the opposite side Il, and preferably it is spaced very slightly from said guide lip 24 and moistening felt 38.

This space makes it possible to readily insert the ordinary label, stamp or envelope flap under said bar 42 and draw it over said guide lip 24 and felt 38 to moisten it without raising said pressure bar 42, or raising it only slightly, even though the latter can be moved very easily.

A pivot arm 44 is attached to said pressure bar 42 and normally supports the latter in predetermined position adjacent said felt and guide lip, as explained, said arm being pivotally mounted in supporting means. The latter means, as shown, embodies a support or bearing E which has extensions 48 at its front and rear extremities that are attached to said side I6, thus spacing, as at 5D, said bearing 46 from said latter side. A hole 52 in said bearing 46 xedly receives a stud shaft 54 on which said arm 42 is pivotally mounted thereby permitting it to freely move within said space 5l).

Said bearing A6 is preferably provided with a stop member 56 shown extending diagonally forward and upward, in position of use, being provided by the surface of one of said extensions d8. This stop member 55 limits the downward movement of said pivot arm 44 and thus assures that said pressure bar 42 will not rest on said guide lip 24 and felt top portion 4i). A hole 53 is provided in said front extension to receive said cord 32.

To moisten an envelope iiap, postage stamp, label or the like, it is merely inserted under said pressure bar 42 at its free side, and drawn over said guide lip 24 and felt top portion 40. Said pressure bar serves to keep the article being moistened in contact with said felt top portion 10, and if said article is extra thick said bar 42 .will be moved away suiiciently to permit the article to pass under it and over the lip and felt. Since one end of the pressure bar 42 is free, there is no obstruction to the movement that presents the article to the moistening member.

What I claim is:

1. A moistening device comprising a receptacle embodying a top cover having a guide lip slanting rearwardly and upwardly at an end extremity of said cover, a moisture retaining member within and extending upwardly outside of said receptacle embodying a top portion that slants diagonally upward and rearward in substantially the same plane as said guide lip, the lower part of said top slanting portion co1n mencing at a point adjacent the upper part of said guide lip whereby they provide a continuous inclined plane extending upwardly and rearwardly, a pressure bar normally lying adjacent ..0

said moisture retaining member above said guide lip, and movable means attached to said pressure bar and movably supported by said receptacle.

2. A moistening device comprising a receptacle embodying a bottom, two side walls, a front wall and a rear wall, a top cover within the confines of said walls, a moisture retaining member within and extending upwardly outside of said receptacle, a retainer member supported by said bottom extending upwardly and bearing against a forward portion of said moisture retaining member, a supporting member spaced from said retainer member supported by said bottom and terminating below the tops of said walls, said top cover resting on said supporting member and said retaining member, a pressure bar, and movable means attached to said pressure bar and movably supported by said receptacle, said pressure bar being positioned directly above portions of said moisture retaining member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 946,963 Granger Jan. 18, 1910 1,732,637 Gautier Oct. 22, 1929 1,880,266 Meader Oct. 4, 1932 2,016,216 Pike, Sr. Oct. 1, 1935 2,085,862 Lee July 6, 1937 

